UNAIDS set Fast Track targets on HIV prevention and treatment that are aimed at ending AIDS by 2030. These include reducing new infections to 500,000 and 200,000 by 2021 and 2030 respectively. By 2020 it is however hoped that 90% of people will know their HIV status, 90% are on treatment and 90% of them with viral suppression. These fast track targets have now been coined the “90*90*90*” goals.

In pursuit of these 90*90*90 targets to be achieved by 2020, SAfAIDS will launch the Rock Leadership 90 Programme. A programme that aims to strengthen the capacity of 120 Traditional Leaders in 4 Countries to Champion and lead the response to the ending of HIV by 2030. Once the leaders have been capacitated they will be able to lead their respective communities under the auspices of the “Village to Village I know my HIV Status. Do You? 90*90*90 Campaign. The V2V I Know Campaign is thus an opportunity for religious, traditional and other leaders to engage with their communities to increase uptake of HTS.

Rock Leadership 90 Project Goal is to:

The overall goal of this intervention is to strengthen the community response towards the achievement of Fast Track targets for Ending AIDS; through capacitating community leadership to Champion the End of AIDS, in Southern Africa, by 2017.

Project Objectives:

The project seeks to achieve the following 4 specific objectives:

Build an evidence base, through community-led mapping of the local HIV response, including critical structures that are and can support the response and perceptions around HIV risk

Strengthen the capacity of 120 traditional leaders in 60 communities (15 per country) to guide the local AIDS response in their communities leveraging the inherent strength of the communities to define and lead their own response

Motivate and support 120 traditional leaders and local CSO partners to mobilize 90% of men and their families for HIV testing and linkage to care, access to pediatric ART and PMTCT to reach at least 90% of children, adolescents and pregnant mothers within the 60 targeted communities

Create a regional platform for linking, learning and sharing of promising practices on HIV community led responses for possible replication at national and regional level.

Target Group and Beneficiaries

Primary Target Group: Traditional, Religious and other Community Leaders in Malawi, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Secondary Target Group: Community Based organisations

5. Geographical Coverage:

The project is being implemented in 4 countries in the districts listed below:

Province

District

Malawi

Zomba

Swaziland

Hhohho, Manzini, Shisweleni and Lubombo

Zambia

Kazungula

Zimbabwe

Marondera and Seke

How Will Rock Leadership ‘90’ Be Delivered?

The programme is based on an evidence based model where the community response is determined by the needs of the community through consultative approach. The model is reflected below:

The Change We Expect Includes:

The project is anticipated to realize the following long-term results:

Increased Uptake of HIV testing for all community members and access to ART referral for children, adolescence and pregnant women in 4 countries in Southern Africa to reach at least 90% of people within the targeted 60 communities by 2017

Reduction in new HIV infections and improved health of communities leading to an end to AIDS

Improved participation and commitment by community leaders to leading the community response to ending HIV.

The development of community based responses to HIV and HIV related issues, led by the communities.